But the supporters may be even more desperate to keep the Spaniard following the news that United have identified Neil Warnock as a replacement in the event that he leaves.

It would be strange to see Benitez - a Champions League winner and former Real Madrid manager - in the second tier of English football and, according to the man himself, his future could be decided in the next two weeks.

Shane Callaghan

Shane is a Dublin-based sports writer who swapped the football pitch for the press box upon learning that he was better with a pen than with a round bit of leather. Prior to joining HITC, Shane enjoyed spells with Sports Mole and Goal.com among others, while he was also club reporter for Irish football club Drogheda United.